Marquee's big, big holiday calendar

As we do each year, we present to you now the big, big holiday calendar, complete with all of the events — er, as many of the events that we received information about — of the season.

As you can see, there’s quite a lot, and we encourage you to bookmark this page for planning your holiday activities. And if you notice anything missing for the coming weeks, be sure to send us a note at living@onlineathens.com.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Family Day: Creating with Nature for the Holidays — 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 4, Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave. Make holiday wrapping paper and cards using objects found in nature. Free and no preregistration required. (706) 542-6156.

Workshop: Greenery Wreaths — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7, Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave. Decorate a live wreath. $24 for members; $27 for nonmembers. (706) 542-6156 or e-mail ckeber@uga.edu.

Workshop: Garden Tree Trimming — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9, Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave. Learn to make unique ornaments with a garden or nature theme. $14 for members; $16 for nonmembers. (706) 542-6156 or e-mail ckeber@uga.edu.

Invasive Crafts — 1-3 p.m. Dec. 18, greenways and riverside parks. Learn the best way to get rid of invasive plants and make something festive with them. For all ages. Preregistration required. $2 for ACC residents; $5 for nonresidents; (706) 613-3615.

Workshop: Make Your Own Holiday Centerpiece — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave. Participants should bring a container and pruning shears. $24 for members; $27 for nonmembers. (706) 542-6156 or e-mail ckeber@uga.edu.



TREE LIGHTINGS/LIGHT DISPLAYS

Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s Magical Nights of Lights — 5-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands. Drive through a 7-mile tour of animated, festive holiday light displays. At the end of the tour, the Holiday Village awaits with carnival rides and games, pony rides, holiday treats and hot cocoa. Step inside Santa’s Workshop for holiday shopping and a visit with Santa. Visit Legacy Lodge and Conference Center for a Magical Nights of Lights dinner buffet, or stay the night so the kids can enjoy the tradition of having breakfast with Santa. Visit www.lakelanierislands.com for times and ticket prices.

The Macy’s Great Tree Lighting — 7-8 p.m. Nov. 25, Macy’s, Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta. A pre-show concert featuring behind-the-scenes interviews and performances by the evening’s entertainers begins at 6:15 p.m. Performers include Katharine McPhee, Chuck Wicks, Bobby V, Austin Renfroe, Macy’s All-Star Holiday Choir and Macy’s All Star Cheer Squad. The celebration will be capped off with a fireworks finale set to holiday music.

Helen’s Annual Lighting of the Christmas Lights — 6 p.m. Nov. 26, Downtown Helen, 8600 N. Main St., Helen. There will be a visit from Santa, too. (706) 878-2181.

St. Mary’s Hospital Love Lights Drive and Tree Lighting — 7 p.m. Nov. 30, St. Mary’s Hospital, 1230 Baxter St. Each holiday season, the Love Lights tree is illuminated in the St. Mary’s Hospital atrium with hundreds of bulbs, each representing one of the Love Lights gifts made throughout the year in honor or memory of friends and loved ones and to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions. Light refreshments, with music provided by the Little Chiefs Chorale from Oconee Primary School. Donations are welcome; all proceeds from the program support St. Mary’s Hospice. (706) 389-3926 or www.stmarysathens.org.

Downtown Athens Tree Lighting — 8 p.m. Dec. 2, Athens City Hall. Following the downtown Parade of Lights. www.accleisureservices.com.

Atlanta History

Center’s Candlelight Nights — 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 14 and Dec. 16, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road. A variety of festivities fit for all ages takes place on the center’s 33-acre campus, including Tullie Smith Farm, with traditions of a mid-19th-century family, including candle-dipping, performances, storytelling and sumptuous smells from open-hearth kitchen demonstrations. A candle-lit stroll through a crisp wooded trail transports you to the warm glow of the holidays at the magnificent Swan House mansion. $10 for History Center and Margaret Mitchell House Members; $5 for member children; $15 for nonmembers; and $7 for nonmember children. (404) 814-4000 or www.atlantahistorycenter.com/candlelight.

NATIVITY SCENES

Live Nativity and Holiday Celebration — 5-7 p.m. Nov. 27, North Georgia Zoo, 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. Starry Night Guided Zoo Tours leave at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Bring a flashlight and join zoo guides to view the animals up close, including bushbabies, wildcats, alligators and more. After the tour, board the hayride to head to the live Nativity while enjoying inspirational stories of animals at the zoo like yaks, water buffalo, zebras, camels and more. Hear the Christmas story and caroling at the live Nativity. $25 per person; $20 per person in groups of 20 or more; $1 off if you bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to community families in need this Christmas. (706) 348-7279 or e-mail info@wildlifewonders.com.

OPEN HOUSES, MARKETS, TOURS

Deck the Walls — Noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Jan. 5, Lyndon House Arts Center, 293 Hoyt St. Gift items from area artists: wreaths, garlands, ornaments and other seasonal decorations, cards, jewelry, paintings, pottery, photography, glass, scarves, wood and more. Free parking. (706) 613-3623.

Holiday Open House at Happy Valley Pottery and Chappelle Gallery

Holiday Open House Toy and Food Drive — 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2, Wray-Nicholson House, 298 S. Hull St. Sponsored by the UGA Alumni Association, open house features games, food, fun and guests from the North Pole. Attendees are asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots. (706) 542-2251 or e-mail wdarden@uga.edu.

Holiday Happy Hour and Art Market — 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3, Healing Arts Centre, 834 Prince Ave. Ainhoa Bilbao Canup will hang a new show created for the Healing Arts Centre’s space for the holidays. Juice, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. (706) 613-1142 or www.healingartscentre.net.

DeWitt Pottery Year-End Sale — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3-5, 71 Jackson St., Watkinsville. DeWitt Smith’s functional pottery in stoneware and porcelain. dpottery@bellsouth.net or www.dewittpottery.com.

The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Holiday Market — 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-5, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, 34 School St., Watkinsville. More than 80 of the region’s artists and more than 50 visual and literary artists will offer pottery, paintings, jewelry, sculpture, woodwork, fiber art, book art, glasswork and photography. Food vendors include Big Kev’s Barbecue on Dec. 3, and sandwiches and deserts from St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church and the Philoptochos Society on Dec. 4-5. The Golden Pear Bake Shoppe will feature baked goods made by OCAF members during the holiday market. Admission is $3 on Dec. 3 for adults and free for children ages 16 and younger for the special Friday evening shopping hours. (706) 769-4565 or www.ocaf.com.

David Morgan Pottery 2010 Holiday Sale — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4; noon-5 p.m. Dec. 5, 3747 Old Wildcat Bridge Road, Danielsville. Gallery open by appointment through Dec. 23. (706) 795-3418 or (706) 207-2325.

Farmington Pottery — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 1171 Freeman Creek Road, Farmington. A variety of stoneware and porcelain pottery will be available, including dinnerware, kitchen and tableware, individual pieces and garden pots, along with herbal soaps and botanical skincare products. Get directions at www.pickettpottery.com. (706)769-8100.

Depot Days Holiday Market — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 4-5, Farmington Depot Gallery, 1001 Salem Road and Highway 441, Farmington. Shop for art and holiday gifts handmade by a variety of Georgia artists. For a full list of artists, visit www.farmingtondepotgallery.org.

Soup Studios Pottery Holiday Sale — 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 4, Soup Studios, 2140 S. Lumpkin St. Free admission. (706) 340-1973 or www.soupstudios.com.

Jeff Bishoff and Friends Pottery and Art Show and Sale — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 1790 Salem Road, Farmington. Artists include J.B. (Jeff Bishoff), Jim Peckham, Caryn Curry, Crisha Yantis, Keen Zero and more. Take U.S. Highway 441 South to Farmington, go left into Farmington at Salem Road and follow signs to sale. (678) 863-1847.

Clay Gardens Holiday Market — 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 5, Clay Gardens, 1085 Danielsville Road. Jasey Jones and Amanda Jane Crouse of White Tiger Gourmet have a new art space and invite the public to a market featuring works by anyone who makes things with their hands selling their wares. No registration required, and no table fee for vendors, but vendors are asked to show up at least an hour early to set up. Free.

2010 Athens Annual Holiday Benevolence Market — Noon Dec. 5, First Presbyterian Church, 185 E. Hancock Ave. This 17th annual event brings together 13 area congregations and more than 30 local nonprofit agencies in a collaborative effort to raise funds, increase awareness and spread holiday cheer throughout the community. Entertainment will be provided by Tom Granum and the First Presbyterian choir, Twila Willis from First Christian Church on piano, Milledge Avenue Baptist Church Singers, Meridian Women’s Chorus and the Unitarian Universalist Singers. First Presbyterian’s youth group also will provide a soup-and-sandwich lunch (free, but donations accepted) to those attending the market.

Botanical Garden Holiday Open House — 2-5 p.m. Dec. 5, Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave. Live music, holiday decor and a puppet show. Performances: 2:15-3 p.m., The Georgia Children’s Chorus; 3:15-3:50, Noteworthy (the UGA female a cappella group); 4-5, The Classic City Band; and 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 puppet shows in the children’s classroom. (706) 542-6156 or e-mail ckeber@uga.edu.

2nd Annual RXRAD (railroad arts district) Holiday Market — 3-9 p.m. Dec. 10, outside the Railroad Arts District Warehouse loading dock and inside ATHICA, 160 Tracy St. More than 35 artists, including Chris Purcell, Brent Swanson, Ansley Beacham, Kenneth Kase, Ryan Adams, Cap Man and Jamie Voivedich, selling handmade wares. Bonfires, live music and more. Free admission. (706) 340-1973.

Monroe Tour of Homes and Silent Auction — 4:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11, Monroe Art Guild, 205 S. Broad St., Monroe. The Friday and Saturday tour each feature different properties. Proceeds will benefit the art guild’s operations, scholarships and arts advocacy in the community. $15 for a single tour or $25 for combination tour. (770) 207-8937.

Handmade Hollyday Market — 10 a.m.-dark Dec. 11, 815 W. Broad St. (across from Peaches) A collection of about 25 different makers and creators selling handmade goods, including organic breads, chocolates, knit goods, clothing, toys, jewelry, ceramics and other fine art, with crafts by local artists Sugar Cookie, Rachel Sleppy, Catherine Adams, Kelly Ruberto, Amanda Kapazous, Farm and Forest toys, Sun Hong, the Cap Man, Bacon Neckware, Little Cuckoo Chocolates, Ila and Henry, Kenneth Kase, Leslie Snipes, Barbette Houser, L.F.A, Block and Brayer, Home.Made, Christy Wooke, Rollins Bakery and more.

Tiger Mountain Holiday Open House — 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 11, Tiger Mountain Vineyards, 2592 Old Highway 441. Hot mulled wine, hors d’oeuvres, artisan cheeses and breads. Find gifts for the wine lovers on your list and enjoy Appalachian Christmas music. Free admission; $5 wine-tasting fee only. www.tigerwine.com or (706) 782-4777. 

The White Tiger Gourmet Holiday Market — 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 11, White Tiger Gourmet, 217 Hiawassee Ave. A variety of handmade art by local artists. (706) 353-6847.

Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour — Tours will depart at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11 from the Ware-Lyndon House, 293 Hoyt St. Theatrical performances at the Ware-Lyndon and T.R.R. Cobb houses, as well as a new historical vignette performed at the Taylor-Grady House, a guided tour of the Church-Waddel-Brumby House, complete with period music and seasonal refreshments. During the tour, participants will learn more about the history of each house from professional tour guides. Rose of Athens will present three short museum theater performances on the tour, each set during the Christmas holidays and reflecting 19th-century holiday traditions. $25 for adults; $15 for children ages 10 and younger. Transportation is included so space is limited; advance reservations are encouraged. (706) 208-8687.

Silent Auction to Benefit Odyssey Newsmagazine — 7-9 p.m. Dec. 11, ATHICA, 160 Tracy St. A fundraiser for Clarke Central High School’s award-winning Odyssey newsmagazine. Catered food and live music from the Atlanta Calypso band Panablaze. Tickets are a $10 donation in advance. (706) 208-1613.

PARADES

Lantern Parade — 5 p.m. Nov. 27, downtown Helen and Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. Children will parade through town with lanterns they have decorated. Parade will end at the Fussen Biergarten, where children can roast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate. (706) 878-1908.

Athens Downtown Parade of Lights — 7 p.m. Dec. 2, downtown Athens. The theme this year is Timeless Traditions. Parade will begin on Dougherty Street, turn down Pulaski Street, go down Clayton Street, turn onto Thomas Street, turn onto Washington Street and end in front of City Hall for the lighting of the Christmas tree. www.accleisureservices.com.

2010 Children’s Christmas Parade — 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 4, Centennial Olympic Park, downtown Atlanta. This parade features award-winning marching bands, holiday-themed and animated floats, giant helium balloons and a grand finale with Santa Claus. For more information, visit www.choa.org/parade.

Helen’s Annual Christmas Parade — 2 p.m. Dec. 4, downtown Helen. (706) 878-2181.

Winder Christmas Parade — 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4, downtown Winder. Colorful parade floats from local business owners, churches, pageant winners and Santa Claus. The parade will end at the Winder Community Center with crafts for sale, food vendors and an opportunity to have a photo made with Santa. (770) 867-3106 or www.windergaevents.org/christmasparade.html.

Christmas in the Mountains Lighted Parade — 7 p.m. Dec. 4, downtown Cleveland, White County. (706) 865-5356.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Helen’s Third Annual Christkindlmarkt — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 4-5, downtown Helen. Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German event. Booths are set up on the Marktplatz, where visitors can enjoy the holiday atmosphere. The market offers everything from unique gifts and decorations to an assortment of savory and sweet foods, drinks and candied treats. (706) 878-1908.

Deck the Halls — 3 p.m. Dec. 4, Unicoi State Park & Lodge, 1788 Highway 356, Helen. From 3-5 p.m., create holiday ornaments and crafts, enjoy a hayride while singing carols and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. At 6 p.m., enjoy a holiday concert with the Weaver Believer Survival Revival. The lodge restaurant will serve dinner. Activities are free and open to the public. (800) 573-9659, ext. 305.

10th Annual Christmas in the Mountains Celebration — 3-9 p.m. Dec. 4, Downtown Cleveland, White County. An old-fashioned Christmas with Christmas carols, hot cocoa and cookies, kids activities, arts and crafts, food and more. At 7 p.m., watch lighted floats in the Christmas parade, complete with costumed characters, lights and Santa. (706) 969-3336.

Kwanzaa Celebration — 3 p.m. Dec. 4, Tate Grand Hall, Tate Student Center, University of Georgia. Sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, this event will feature performances by the Soweto Street Beat African Dancers, noted storyteller Akbar Imhotep and members of AACC student organizations. Business or ethnic attire is requested. Free, but tickets requir

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